Communications devices and methods for single-mode and automatic media capture

ABSTRACT

Devices are configured to capture and share media based on user touch and other interaction. Functional labels show the user the operation being undertaken for any media captured. For example, functional labels may indicate a group of receivers, type of media, media sending method, media capture or sending delay, media persistence time, discrimination type and threshold for capturing different types of media, etc., all customizable by the user or auto-generated. Media is selectively captured and broadcast to receivers in accordance with the configuration of the functional label. A user may engage the device and activate the functional label through a single haptic engagement, allowing highly-specific media capture and sharing through a single touch or other action, without having to execute several discrete actions for capture, sending, formatting, notifying, deleting, storing, etc. Devices include any number of sensors to properly detect and act in accordance with the user engagement.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to, and is acontinuation of, co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 16/394,976, filedApr. 25, 2019, a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/426,008,filed Feb. 6, 2017, a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/995,137, filed Jan. 13, 2016, a continuation of InternationalApplication PCT/IB2014/059369, filed Mar. 2, 2014 and designating theUS. International Application PCT/IB2014/059369, U.S. application Ser.No. 14/995,137, U.S. application Ser. No. 15/426,008, and U.S.application Ser. No. 16/294,976 are incorporated by reference herein intheir entireties.

BACKGROUND

Photo or video sharing applications are commonly used to share mediaamong connected or related users. In these applications, users typicallyare presented with several options for captured media, including:specify permitted viewers or recipients; identify sources ordestinations for sharing; like; save; add to album; bookmark; invite;ask other users to reply, provide a like, or comment; add types orcategories to media; select and apply filters; select sending methodslike email, mms, web services, and one or more types of communicationinterfaces; ask photo associate one or more types of information to oneor more sources; chat or comment; etc. with regard to captured photos orvideos. Users may consume much time, such as by clicking or tapping ortouching, in selecting among these options for captured photos orvideos.

Existing photo and/or video capturing applications usually includetouch-enabled button(s) to capture or record video or a photo or voice.This requires user engagement in selecting the photo or video button,such as by touching or tapping the button each time media is to becaptured. Users typically much further engage with controls duringcapture to control zoom, playback speed, lighting, stop capture, etc.

SUMMARY

Example methods include selecting and sharing media through limiteddevice engagement. For example, when media is displayed on the device, afunctional label may be displayed that is associated with a receiver ofthe media. The functional label initiates capture and broadcast of themedia to the receiver, such as through a shared network, including asocial network, SMS, email, etc. User may customize the functional labelto include any number of groups or contacts and well as specific deviceactions to be taken in connection with the engagement; the functionallabels may also be default or auto-generated. The device engagement maybe of a single haptic nature in connection with the functional label,detected by the device through a touch sensor. For example, a hapticengagement may include a discrete, single-tap or single-click, a swipe,gesture, a continuous press-and-hold, device reorientation, deviceshake, etc. The media may include anything that can be captured by thedevice, including an image, photograph, video, multimedia, audio-visualmedia, voice, etc. The type of media captured and/or broadcast to thegroup under the functional label may be varied based on detected hapticengagement, such as from a photograph to a video and vice versa.

Example embodiments include devices, such as mobile devices likesmartphones and wearables, configured to execute example methods viaoperational software installed in memory and connected to a processor.Example embodiment devices include a media capture device such as acamera, microphone, screen, etc. Example embodiment devices includeengagement sensors like a touch sensor, gesture sensor, gyroscope,accelerometer, GPS sensor, proximity sensor, etc. to sense and respondto haptic engagement in example methods. A visual media capturecontroller may be installed as a discrete module on the device tocoordinate and control capture and broadcasting of media of anappropriate type and to appropriate recipients under the functionallabel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments will become more apparent by describing, in detail,the attached drawings, wherein like elements are represented by likereference numerals, which are given by way of illustration only and thusdo not limit the example embodiments herein.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example embodiment media device usingsingle-mode visual media capture.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of an example method of processing operations ina single-mode visual media capture.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an example embodiment graphical userinterface for presentation on a single-mode visual media capture device.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an example embodiment graphical userinterface for presenting chat options on a single-mode visual mediadevice.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an example embodiment graphical userinterface for defining, creating, configuring, updating, adding,removing, customizing personalizing, and/or generating groups and/orgroup labels on a single-mode visual media device.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an example embodiment graphical userinterface for selecting one or more types of functions on a single-modevisual media device.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of an example embodiment graphical userinterface on a single-mode visual media device.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of another example embodiment graphical userinterface on a single-mode visual media device.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of an example embodiment graphical userinterface for enabling sender and/or receiver communications on sharedmedia on a single-mode visual media device.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of another example embodiment graphical userinterface on a single-mode visual media device.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of another example embodiment graphical userinterface on a single-mode visual media device.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of another example embodiment graphical userinterface on a single-mode visual media device.

FIG. 13 is an illustration of another example embodiment graphical userinterface on a single-mode visual media device.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating implementation actions for auto-and single-mode visual media capture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This is a patent document, and general broad rules of constructionshould be applied when reading it. Everything described and shown inthis document is an example of subject matter falling within the scopeof the claims, appended below. Any specific structural and functionaldetails disclosed herein are merely for purposes of describing how tomake and use example embodiments. Several different embodiments notspecifically disclosed herein may fall within the claim scope; as such,the claims may be embodied in many alternate forms and should not beconstrued as limited to only example embodiments set forth herein.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. maybe used herein to describe various elements, these elements should notbe limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish oneelement from another. For example, a first element could be termed asecond element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a firstelement, without departing from the scope of example embodiments. Asused herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of oneor more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that when element(s) are referred to in relationto one another, such as being “connected,” “coupled,” “mated,”“attached,” or “fixed” to another element(s), the relationship can bedirect or with other intervening elements. In contrast, when an elementis referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” toanother element, there are no intervening elements present. Other wordsused to describe the relationship between elements should be interpretedin a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent”versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). Similarly, a term such as “connected”for communications purposes includes all variations of informationexchange routes between two devices, including intermediary devices,networks, etc., connected wirelessly or not.

As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an,” and “the” are intended toinclude both the singular and plural forms, unless the languageexplicitly indicates otherwise with terms like “only a single element.”It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,”“includes,” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presenceof stated features, values, steps, operations, elements, and/orcomponents, but do not themselves preclude the presence or addition ofone or more other features, values, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

It should also be noted that the structures and operations discussedbelow may occur out of the order described and/or noted in the figures.For example, two operations and/or figures shown in succession may infact be executed concurrently or may be executed in the reverse order,depending upon the functionality/acts involved. Similarly, individualoperations within example methods described below may be executedrepetitively, individually or sequentially, so as to provide looping orother series of operations. It should be presumed that any embodimenthaving features and functionality described below, in any workablecombination, falls within the scope of example embodiments.

The inventors have recognized that existing media capturing devices,such as mobile devices, require much time and user interaction to selectamong several different options for media treatment, including selectinga type of media to be captured, initiating and stopping capture for adesired period of time, applying filters or otherwise editing thecaptured media, and storing or posting or broadcasting the media withspecific labels or recipient parameters. This requires a user tointeract, typically via touch, several different times and ways tocapture and share media, all while the user may desire to instead focuson selecting and capturing the most desired media. Example embodimentsdiscussed below overcome these and other newly-recognized problems byallowing users to quickly and flexibly capture, record, select, share,post, send, and otherwise present media including videos, audio, voice,sound, images, photos, text and/or conduct one or more associated tasks,allowing the user to be connected, logged-in, always on, and alwaysengaged by allowing a user to automatically capture or record, store,preview, save, and share media in single mode or in a single actuation.

The present invention is computerized devices, software, and/or hardwarethat capture and handle media based on limited user engagement. Thepresent invention is not—and the inventors and applicant explicitlydisclaim—scope over a bare transitory signal or an abstract idea per se.While transitory signals and general concepts of arranging humanbehavior, comparing information and using rulesets based thereon, andcategorizing information are useable with or in the present invention,the present invention is limited to particular implementations of thosesignals and concepts in connection with or to improve existing mediacapture and sharing technology. In contrast to the present invention,the few example embodiments and example methods discussed belowillustrate just a subset of the variety of different configurations thatcan be used as and/or in connection with the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example embodiment electronic device 100configured to execute example methods of single-mode media capture.Example embodiment device 100 may be, for example, a smart phone orother mobile device and includes processor 130 in communication withmemory 136. For example, processor 130 may be a central processing unitand/or graphics processing unit. Memory 136 can be a combination offlash memory and random access memory. Memory 136 is configured to storeand permit execution of visual media capture controller(s) 140 and/orauto visual media capture controller(s) 138.

Controllers 138 and/or 148 may interact with several existing mediacontrollers on example device 100. Controllers 128 and/or 148 can beactivated from a user touch or tap on an appropriate label or icon, atwhich point media can be recorded and processed in accordance withexample methods. For example, display 110 may present a series ofoptions including an auto-generated, auto-presented, user-created,and/or selected one or more or group or a set of single mode inputicons. Visual media controller(s) 140/145 and/or auto visual mediacapture controller(s) 138 may interact with a photograph librarycontroller 150, which includes executable instructions to store,organize and present photos 155. Visual media controller 140/145 and/orauto visual media capture controller(s) 138 may also interacts with avideo library controller 160, which includes executable instructions tostore, organize and present videos 165. The visual media controller(s)140/145 and/or auto visual media capture controller(s) 138 may interactwith a functions library controller 167, which includes executableinstructions to store, update, organize, and/or execute function(s) 168.

Processor 130 is coupled to image sensors 105 and any other sensors thatmay be present in example device 100, including an accelerometer,gyroscope, gesture sensor, proximity sensor, direction sensor, and/oraudio sensor 190. Image sensors 105/190 may be known digital imagesensors that capture visual media, which may be presented on display110. Using visual media capture controllers 140/145 and/or auto visualmedia capture controller(s) 138, image sensors 105 may capture visualmedia and present the visual media on display 110 for user observationand interaction.

Touch controller 115 is connected to the display 110 and the processor130 so that example embodiment device 100 may be responsive to hapticsignals applied to display 110. For example, visual media capturecontroller 140 and/or auto visual media capture controller(s) 138 maypresent an auto-generated, user-defined, user-created, user-selected,and/or auto-presented one or more or groups or sets of input icons orlabels on display 110. Visual media capture controller 140 cancommunicate with processor 130 regarding haptic signals applied to thedisplay 110, which may be sensed or recorded by touch controller 115.For example, visual media capture controller 140 is configured toprocess haptic signals from a user in order to capture or record mediain example embodiments.

Auto visual media capture controller(s) 138 is further configured tocommunicate with processor 130 regarding auto-identified or detectedsignals from sensors including, for example, an accelerometer,gyroscope, gesture sensor, proximity sensor, direction sensor, and/oraudio sensor 190, potentially via display 110. Example embodimentelectronic device 100 may include several other components commonlyassociated with a mobile device or personal computer like a smartphone,tablet computer, wearable computer, global positioning device etc. Suchcomponents may include wireless signal processor 120, power controlcircuit 125, global positioning system processor 135, etc. Knownfeatures of example embodiment device 100 may be interfaced with, andinteract with, visual media capture controller(s) 140/145.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating example methods as well as specificalgorithmic operations that a processor may be configured to performwith appropriate programming. For example, visual media controller 140may be configured to execute the algorithm of FIG. 2 and networked in aconfiguration shown in example device 100 in FIG. 1 as a specificexample of converting an all-purpose processor into visual mediacontroller 140. Visual media capture mode may be invoked in 201.

As an example of invoking in 201 and further actions through250/270/290, a user may access an application presented on display 110to invoke a visual media capture mode. FIG. 3 illustrates an example GUIthat can be executed on display 110 in an example embodiment electronicdevice 100 in a visual media capture mode with visual media 300. Display110 may also present an input icon(s) or label(s) 302 that a user maypress to invoke visual media capture mode in 201 in FIG. 2, indicating aphotograph or other media will be recorded. For example, if a userintends to take a photograph, then the icon(s) or label(s) 302 may beengaged with a haptic signal. The user may switch to video throughcontinued engagement with the icon(s) or label(s) 302. For example, ifthe engagement persists for a specified period of time (e.g., 3seconds), then the output of the visual media capture is determined tobe video and starting of recording of a video. The video mode may beindicated on the display 110 with an icon 304. If the user decides tostop the video, the user may further engage the icon(s) or label(s) 302or an icon 304.

In 207, a user may be presented with Input Icon(s) or Label(s) 302 (FIG.3) by visual media capture controller 140 on display 110 (FIG. 1). Or,for example, in 207, a user may be presented with categories 350 (FIG.3) by visual media capture controller 140 (FIG. 1) through which a usercan select categories 350 of Input Icon(s) or Label(s) 302 (FIG. 3) viavisual media capture controller 140 on display 110 (FIG. 1).

Similarly, in 207, a user can access default Input Icon(s) or Label(s)302 (FIG. 3) by visual media capture controller 140 (FIG. 1) on display110. Or a user may be presented with auto-generated Input Icon(s) orLabel(s) 302 by visual media capture controller 140 on display 110,based on user's one or more activities, actions, senses, events,transactions, location(s), check-in place (s0, status, updates, presenceinformation, user profile, user data, user connections, and anycombination thereof. Still further, in 207, a user can create, search,match, browse, select, add, remove, attach, detach, show, hide, order,sort, rank, filter, page-wise group, any of groups, lists, and categoryInput Icon(s) or Label(s). Such actions may be fully or semi-automatedwith auto-selection and/or recommendations. Input Icon(s) or Label(s)302 (FIG. 3) may include button(s), image(s), photo(s), one or moretypes of digital representation(s), text including names, namedentities, identities, nodes, keywords, key phrases, categories,taxonomies, contacts, connections, and/or commands, for example.

As shown in FIG. 2, haptic contact engagement is identified in 210. Forexample, the haptic contact engagement may be at icon 302 (FIG. 3) ondisplay 110. The touch controller 115 in response may generate hapticcontact engagement signals for processing by visual media capturecontroller 140 in conjunction with processor 130. Alternately, thehaptic contact may be on any other icon or label on display 110. Areasfor haptic contact and identification in 210 include label(s), icon(s),button(s), image(s), digital representation(s) and associated functions,including user-provided and—selected data, preferences, attributes,properties, system data, metadata etc.

In 215, a timer is started based on haptic engagement. In 225, the timeris stopped when haptic engagement ceases in 220. In 230, it isdetermined whether a haptic threshold is exceeded or if a user hasengaged in lesser haptic engagement, such as if a user has one-tapped orsingle-touched or short-touched. If lesser haptic engagement 231 isdetermined in 230, then a photo may be captured 285 and stored 290. Ifgreater haptic engagement 232 is determined in 230, such as atouch-and-hold, long touch, or double-tap, then video capture is started235. Under video capture, the timer may be started 235 to time hapticengagement. If the timer reaches a threshold as determined in 240, forexample, a set period of time such as 15 seconds, then the timer isstopped in 245 and video capture is stopped in 245. Captured video maybe stored in 250. If the threshold is not exceeded in 240, then videomay be continued during haptic contact engagement 260 until release 263.Upon determining release short of threshold, video may be stopped 265and the resulting video stored in 270.

In this way, if a user initially intends to take a photograph byengaging icon(s) or label(s) 302 (FIG. 3) but then decides that thevisual media should instead be a video, the user may continue to engagethe icon(s) or label(s) 302 or double-touch the icon(s) or label(s) 302to capture video. For example, if the user does not release a tap after3 seconds, then visual media capture is determined to be video and videocapturing or recording is started in 235. The video mode may beindicated on display 110 with an icon 304. If the user decides to stopthe video, the user further engages the icon(s) or label(s) 302 or anicon 304.

In 250 or 270, video may be sent to video library controller 165(FIG. 1) for handling. Visual media capture controller 140 may includeexecutable instructions to prompt the video library controller to entera video preview mode. Consequently, a user can conveniently review arecently recorded video. Media capture and recordation, as well as timerfunctionality, may be executed by processor 130 operating in conjunctionwith memory 136 (FIG. 1) under the control of the visual media capturecontroller 140.

A user may set one or more sets, categories, and/or groups of inputicons or labels through dynamic, automatic, or semi-automatic searching,matching, selecting, activating, generating, creating, sorting,ordering, ranking, filtering, adding, attaching, detaching, removing,invoking, and/or updating based on user senses or user device associatedsensors. Such sensor(s) may include accelerometers, gyroscopes, gesturesensors, proximity sensors, direction sensors like a magnetic compass,audio sensors like a microphone, voice sensor, image sensor,localization (GPS) sensors, biometric or fingerprint sensors, touchscreen sensors, and/or many other available sensors. Such actions canalso be used to install, uninstall, purchase, make payment, subscribe,add, add or update functions, attach, detach, remove, invoke, activate,execute, upgrade, update and present functions associated with one ormore sets, categories, and/or groups of input icons or labels.

As seen in FIG. 3, a user can use single-tap or double-tap to show/hideinput all or partial icons or labels 302 from display 110. The user maybe notified about availability of input icons or labels associate users,contacts or sources or connections via a change in color of input iconsor labels; for example, input icons or labels may turn green when anassociate user or contact is available or online. A user may be notifiedof numbers of shared contents received, sent, pending to view, view bysender, and/or view by receiver from icons or labels with added numbers.For example “3-Amita” input label 302 may indicate that connected userAmita sent 3 shared items or chat messages including videos or photos orvoice or text messages to the user.

A user can start a chat or chat session 365 for captured, posted,shared, or presented photos or videos. Similarly, chats or chat session365 may automatically begin. A user is still able to move to a next orprevious icon or label or scroll up or down for viewing and selectinginput icons or labels. Users may manually search, view, and/or selectone or more contacts or group(s) of contacts from all contact 353 forsharing captured or selected media, including videos, photos, and/orvoice or text messages. A user may also set or apply or update period oftime (e.g. number of seconds-5 seconds) 351 with one or more input iconsor labels 302 for auto-deleting or auto-removing shared or presentedmedia. The user may be able to dynamically update or change, via voiceor manual entry, this period of time (e.g. increase to 5 seconds) 351after sharing of media but before viewing by receiver(s).

In example embodiments, media may be shared in a transient mode. A usercan select one or more presented input icons or labels via one-tap withslide on selected or preferred input icon(s) or label(s). Media may alsohave restricted share permissions, such that only a sender may forwardor re-send or save locally the sender's own video, audio, photo, image,voice, contents, chat session associated messages and shared resources.Media may be auto-presented with contextual contents, such as mediapresented or shared with video, photo, voice, and/or text. Shared orpresented media or contextual contents may be restricted after adisconnection or leaving of all participating members. Absent suchrestrictions, users may be able to view all shared contents andassociated information of media, including sender, delivery/receipt/readstatus, pending, deleted, removed, screenshotted, forwarded, and/orsaved 360.

As seen in FIG. 3, users may apply one or more types of settings 355 forsending, sharing, live broadcasting, and/or receiving media orcontextual contents from one or more sources. Settings 355 may includedefault privacy settings for sending, sharing, posting, publishingand/or live-streaming captured or recorded media, including photos,videos, voice & contents to/at/on one or more contacts and/or group(s)of contacts add/or sources and/or destinations. Users may apply privacysettings for a particular duration or period of time (e.g. set number ofseconds) for auto-removing or auto-disappearing of shared contents.Settings 355 may be applied through the chat interface is present aftercapturing of video or photo, or a user can manually select chatinterface via icon 365 (FIG. 4).

In example embodiments, a user can dynamically change position, order,arrange, and/or move one or more input icons or labels on display 110via touch, slide, and/or drag-and-drop anywhere on display 110. Userscan dynamically select functions from a list of functions to add,attach, use, apply, and/or set selected functions with one or more inputicons or labels. For example, input icon or label 302 is associated withthe function “Sent captured video or photo to user Amita.” If the userwants to add more functions with label 302, then user can selectfunction(s) via icon 354 and add, remove, or update selected function(s)and associated parameters, settings, preferences, user inputs orselection, data & metadata with one or more input icons or labelspresented on display 110.

As seen in FIG. 4, a user may be presented with chat interface 445 forstarting chat session 445 with senders and/or receivers on sharedcontent or media 425, including video, audio, images, text, voice,photos, and any combination thereof. Users can view 425 and chat 445with other users to whom user sent or shared media or contents 425.Users can select or switch between multiple chat sessions 423 forchatting with one or more users, each on a respective sent or receivedshared contents 425. Various options 440/460 may be available to theuser, including send text messages 450/465, share emoticons 466, sendvoice message(s) 467, share location information 468, add said capturedor shared media to user's one or more selected stories 469, and/or applyprivacy settings for who can view the user's one or more stories,including a set period of time or duration for expiration (e.g. 24hours), a duration or period of time (e.g. number of seconds) forauto-removing shared contents and/or chat conversations from receiver(s)device, application, server(s), database(s), and/or storage medium 471.Options 440/460 may further include saving captured, recorded, orpreviewed media locally 472, add media to album 473, rank 474, report475, like 476, dislike 477 shared media or contents 425, edit sharedmedia or contents 478, and/or forward user's own or other user's allowedcontents to one or more elected users or group(s) of users 480. A usercan view one or more shared contents or media 425 of one or more usersvia previous icon 430 and next icons 435, as well as switch betweenusers or stories via icons 423. A user may return to a visual mediacapture controller via icon 410.

A color change or update of number icon(s) 423 may reflect a change inone or more types of status, such as updates in location or check-inplace information, updates in availability status, chat participantsavailability or participation of one or more users with one or more chatsessions, receiving of new messages or voice messages, receivingratings, like or dislike or comment with shared contents or media,receiving of new captured or recorded shared media by other users,and/or expiration of period of time associated with received sharedmedia or contents from other users.

Users can capture or record media including photo, video, and/or voicefor sharing with receivers or participants of chat within a same screen.When the user selects captured and/or shared mode via icon 410, then thechat interface may be hidden and a visual media capture controller withother options as discuss in FIG. 3 may be presented. When the usertouches or clicks on icon 365, then the visual media capture controllerand associated options may be hidden, and the chat interface and otherassociated options may be presented as in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 4, a user can play, pause, and/or stop video, audio, orvoice 460. The user can view shared as well as received shared contentsin a slide show mode and can play, pause, stop media including video,audio & voice 460. For example, FIG. 3 shows auto-generated anduser-defined or customized labels presented to the user on display 110based on the user's smart phone or mobile contacts with auto-associatedor user defined associated function(s) (e.g. “Sent Function”) with eachgenerated, created, or updated and presented label name associated witha contact, so when the user touches or single- or double-taps on thelabel or label active area the photo or video is captured or recordedand stored. The captured media may be sent or shared to the labelassociated with the contact person or group(s) of contacts associatedwith the label.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an example embodiment graphical userinterface enabling a user to add, update, customize, generate and/orcreate one or more input icons or labels or one or more group(s) inputicons or labels. The user can input 505 a group name or the user canselect group(s) name(s) from existing list group(s) 507 for updatingsaid selected group(s) or the user can use selected group(s) 507 as atag or template for newly created group(s) 505. The user can add orupdate icon 509 for newly-created 505 or selected groups 507. The Usercan also add description 512 and/or metadata 515 with newly createdgroup 505 or update description of selected group 507. The user mayfurther provide rank & order to one or more group(s) 517. The user canalso download or update pre-created or shared or selected or contextual(based on user profile & user data) groups from server 520. The user canselect default function(s), including one or more main functions 522,additional functions 523 for all created, selected, and generated inputicons or labels, or the user can select, update, attach, and/or applyone or more main functions 502 and/or additional functions 503 forparticular specific or individual created or selected input icon(s) orlabel(s) 501.

The user may also be provided with functions, objects, interfaces,forms, controls, web services, and/or application management functionsincluding search, match, browse, view, select, download, subscribe,purchase (make payment), install, un-install, update, upgrade,customize, program, test, attach, detach, sort, group, filter, rank,provide ratings and comments/reviews for functions, objects, interfaces,forms, controls, web services, and/or applications 525. The user mayselect each function-associated parameters including one or more defaultselected contacts and/or group(s) of contact(s) 534 for created group505, or the user can select one or more contacts/group(s) of contacts514 for label 501 of created group 505 or selected group 507. The usercan select sources or destinations 530/514 for a particular createdgroup 505 or selected group 507 or for a particular label 501 ofparticular created group 505 or selected group 507, including web sitesnames, email addresses, instant messenger credentials, cloud storageaddress, etc. and provide associated login, authentication,authorization, user identity, password, metadata, and other settings.

Users can manage contacts 534 and/or sources 530 or destinationsincluding add new 535, update selected 537, remove selected 539, updatefrom server(s) and source(s) 540, share 542, search, find, invite andimport 544, search who can add users into their contacts 534, order &rank 545, filter 547, sort 550, and/or group 552 user contacts,connections, group(s) of contacts, and sources and destinations,including web sites, web pages, servers, networks, devices, databases,applications, services, cloud storage, email addresses, instantmessenger credentials, users of social networks, folder name(s),directories, groups, interfaces, social networks, search engines, peerto peer networks. Users can add new 565, update existing 657, remove569, suggest 570, updates from server(s) & source(s) 573, share 575,order & rank 578, filter 580, sort 585, group 587, and/or selectpre-created categories or types 557 of input icons or labels andassociate input icons or labels 560. In another embodiment, users canset presentation settings for dynamically presenting selected types ofinput icons or labels and associated input icons or labels on display110, including those dynamically present based on, for example, aparticular date & time, ranges of date & time, location, check-in place,activities, actions, interactions, events, transactions, user profileand user data, and/or connected users and data. Of the forgoing, theuser may add new 501 via button 565 or update existing selected 560 viabutton 567 input icon(s) or label(s) and customize or define. Forexample, the user may provide a name or label 501, icon, adduser-mediated actions including one or more forms, types of information,structured fields, forms, interface(s), or application 504, add, orupdate one or more selected function(s) 502, additional functions 503,and/or apply, set, define, customize one or more types offunction(s)-associated parameters. For example, the user may providesources & destinations including contacts, web sites, web pages,communication channels, servers, networks, application, services,databases, and/or devices for sharing, sending, posting, submitting,presenting, publishing, synchronizing captured, media or contentsincluding video, audio, image, photo & voice 514.

The user can save input icon or label 506. The user can add to inputicon or label 501/560 specific contents 591 via various option 594including select, add, edit, update any media including voice or audioor sound, photo or image, video, emoticons, photo or video effects orfilters, location information, selected or searched contents, files ordocuments and metadata 592. The user can also add suggested, auto match,contextual, preference, or setting-specific contents from varioussources 595. The user can add, update, apply, configure, and/orcustomize one or more domain or subject specific forms (e.g. deals,purchase details etc.), interfaces, controls, wizards and parameters,and the user can apply privacy settings & presentation settingsincluding present one or more attachments or forms, interfaces, controlsand/or, wizards to a user after capturing media and before executingfunctions 593, so that the user can input or provide contextual detailsor take one or more user-contextual actions. The user can add new,update or save existing, remove, share, apply privacy settings,presentation settings, and/or preferences, auto-generate one or morecreated or selected group(s), the user can schedule a trigger orpresentation of these groups, including associated-input icons orlabels. The user can also apply settings for dynamically presentingthese groups based on a particular date & time, ranges of date & time,location, check-in place, activities, actions, interactions, events,transactions, user profile, user data, and/or connected users profilesand data 598.

A user can also apply settings including auto-add date/time, location,check-in place, profile data or profile link, system data, and/ormetadata with one or more input icons or labels. The user can applysettings for a selected user for input icon(s) or label(s) associatedwith updating of settings, associate functions, and/or configurationsbefore executing of functions. The user can also apply settings topresent only a specific input label or present icon with labels. Theuser can apply settings for enabling voice commands indulging presentinput labels based on voice commands, for example, Movie—R-mall (1)Viewing movie (2) shopping at <shop name at R-mall> (3) Food<Ice-cream-brand> etc.

FIG. 6 illustrates various types of example main functions andadditional functions. User can search, match, select, sort, order, rank,filter, install, uninstall, purchase, make payment, subscribe, add, addor update with existing functions, attach, detach, remove, invoke,activate, execute, upgrade, update, and/or present functions associatedwith one or more or set or categories or group of input icon and/orlabel.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example embodiment where a user clicks on “Post orPublish To/Via” option 353 and is presented with a group related set ofinput labels 745 on display 110 including “All Sites”, “Facebook”,“Twitter”, “Flicker”, “Instagram”, “WhatsApp”, “Pinterest-Travel”,“Pinterest-Food & Drink”, “Bluetooth”, “List of Photo/Video Seller ore-commerce Sites”, “Message”, “Mail”, and “Slideshow.” The user is ableto single-tap to capture a photo or double-tap to start capturing ofvideo or press-and-hold to select one or more labels. The user cansingle-tap on any select sign associated labels to capture a photo ordouble-tap on any select sign associated labels to start capturing ofvideo (see FIG. 13). For example, when the user single-taps on label“Pinterest-Travel” 702, then a photo is captured and the labelassociates with the “Post To <>” function and parameters of the web siteaddress, login information, and category, enabling the user to post thephoto to “Travel” category of www.pinterest.com.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a user customizing or creating a day today activities group of labels 376 via interface 110, wherein each labelunder a group has default settings, including post capture photo tofamily and best friends, save at user's as well as at receiver's device,and wherein each label associates with particular activity name (e.g.FIG. 8 shows various types of activities for throughout the day or atonly a particular date & time range such as 7:00 AM to 10 AM) andassociates with a date & time range, so that the user may understand thetype or category of photo or video needed to capture and share withspecific contacts, including family and/or best friends. For example, at7:00 AM-7:30 AM, the user is notified about or highlights the label“Swimming” based on previously-set settings, and the user or anotheruser on their behalf double-taps on the “Swimming” label to capturevideo via icon 304 (as described in FIG. 3). The system stores capturedvideo and executes said label “Swimming” associated functions, includingposting the video, audio of video, and/or voice of the user to pre-setcontacts, including family and/or best friends. As per the pre-settings,after capturing, storing, and sharing, the user is presented with a chatinterface described in connection with FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example embodiment where a user can view their ownas well as other related users' 423 shared contents or media related toa same time-range-related-activity-specific shared contents, so the usercan compare their activity with other users at that same time. In thisway a user may perceive what they as well as what other users were doingor are doing or near-future plans. The user can send and/or receive oneor more messages, voice messages, emoticons, location information, like,rating, comments, and/or reviews 945 from/to one or more related users423. The user may be dynamically updated or presented with labels aboutupdates by date & time, specific time slot, location, holiday, dailyactivities, past possible activities, a pre-selected daily generalizedtemplate of possible activities, and/or by a user and connected or addedusers' profile and user data.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example embodiment where the user can sendrequest(s) 1005 to pre-set, default users, to a system default, or toselected types of other users of network(s), including contextual users,one or more contacts or group(s) of contacts, followers, followingusers, similar interest groups, one or user devices of a network(s)based on their location, presence information, check-in place(s),availability status, updates, profile data, and/or user data forrequesting live or near-live sharing or broadcasting of media, includingvideo, audio, voice, images, photos, and/or text. The user can receivecontextual requests 1002 from other users of the network(s) on display110, so the user can, in real-time, be notified about and view newrequests 1002 in chronological or any other preferred order. The usercan directly one-tap or double-tap on request 1002 to start real-timecapturing, recording, broadcasting, and/or sharing of captured media orcontents to a requesting user(s). In the absence of internet or networkconnectivity, captured media may be saved to local storage and latersent to the requesting user(s) when connectivity available. Similarly,the requestor may receive and/or view the requested media when internetor network connectivity becomes available. For example, if a user iswondering at Baga Beach and, based on that location, the user receives,is presented with, and/or is notified of other users' requests 1002related to “Baga Beach” (e.g. “I want to sea view of Baga Beach”), theuser can immediately one-tap or double-tap on request 002 to startcapturing video, audio, photos, and/or voice comments related to “seaview of Baga Beach” to share with the requestor or one or more similarrequest(s).

FIG. 11 is an illustration of an example embodiment graphical userinterface. As seen in FIG. 11, a user may click, single-touch,single-tap, etc. on input label “Price” 1120 for capturing photo 1130of, for example, products displayed at a shop or mall. For example, theuser may ask a price and details to other contextual users for theproducts via free form line 1150 inside the captured photo 1130. Theuser may then receive price or other details of the highlighted productsfrom a particular seller on display 110 of user's device.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of an example embodiment graphical userinterface where the user may click, single-touch, or single-tap on inputlabel “New Products” 1220 for capturing photo 1130 of new productsdisplayed on at a shop. The user may notify a pre-set list of customersabout the newly-arrived products. The user can send or attach othercontents with the photo or video including catalog, information aboutproducts, and like.

FIG. 13 illustrates another example embodiment where a user can selectone or more input labels from set 1302, 1305, and 1309, via a longpress, press-and-hold, or any other types of touches and release. Whenthe user releases the touched labels, they are highlighted withparticular icon (e.g. “right sign” icon) in association with selectedinput labels 1302, 1305, and 1309. Or, for example, labels 102, 1305,and 1309 may be highlighted in bold or given an alerting color so thatthe user can single-tap, double-tap, or otherwise engage any selectedlabels to capture video or photo for sending, sharing, and/orbroadcasting to the label associated with one or more users, contacts,group(s), sources, destinations, and like.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example method of hands-free or auto-capturerecording of photo or video & voice. From FIG. 1, the processingoperations of FIG. 14 may be associated with auto visual media capturecontroller 138. As seen in FIG. 14, an auto visual media capture mode isinvoked 1410. For example, a user may access an application presented ondisplay 110 to invoke an auto visual media capture mode. For example,display 110 (FIG. 3) may be in an auto visual media capture mode whilepresenting visual media 300. Display 110 may also presents an auto modeinput icon 333.

Orientation of device (e.g. vertical) may be determined in combinationwith proximity of device (e.g. some level far from eye or body),stability level of device or display image (e.g. some level deviceand/or image stability for particular set period of time (e.g. number ofseconds), and/or amount of time user holds device in particularorientation (e.g. vertical orientation) to determine whether aphotograph will be recorded or a video. For example, if a user initiallyintends to take a photograph, then the user may invoke auto visual mediacapture mode and keep device in a vertical position, as detected by asensor. A proximity sensor may further determine that the device is farfrom a subject's body or eye, and device stability may be detected basedon a compass, accelerometer, gyroscope, or other sensors, such that thesystem determines a photo is to be captured, based on all this sensordata.

Once photo capturing initiates, if the user decides that the visualmedia should instead be a video, the user may continue to keep device invertical position. If the orientation of device is vertical persists fora specified period of time (e.g., 3 seconds), then the output of thevisual media capture is determined to be video. The video mode may beindicated on the display 110 with an icon 304. Thus, a single gestureallows the user to seamlessly transition from a photograph mode to avideo mode and therefore control the media output during the recordingprocess. This is accomplished without entering one mode or another priorto the capture sequence.

Returning to FIG. 14, sensor data is identified 1415; for example,sensor(s) 190 generates signals data for processing by the auto visualmedia capture controller 138 in conjunction with the processor 130, seenin FIG. 1. In 1415, video is recorded and a timer is started in responseto sensor data. The video may be recorded by processor 130 operating inconjunction with memory 136 in FIG. 1. Alternately, a still frame may betaken from the video feed and stored as a photograph in response todetection 1416 of device orientation as vertical, in combination withproximity being determined as equal to slightly farther from a body oreye of the subject and device stability. A timer may be set by processor130 under the control of the auto visual media capture controller 138.Video may continue to record on the display 110, and the timer maycontinue to run in response to detection of vertical orientation ofdevice in combination with proximity data and/or device stabilityrelated data from one or more sensors.

A horizontal orientation is subsequently identified 1417. In 1425, thetimer is stopped as well as recording of video. The elapsed timerecorded by the timer is then evaluated by the auto visual media capturecontroller 138 against a specified threshold (e.g., 3 seconds) in 1430.If the threshold is exceeded (1430—Yes), then the video is stored 1435.For example, the video may be sent to the video library controller 160for handling. The auto visual media capture controller 138 may includeexecutable instructions to prompt the video library controller toexecute one or more default, auto-identified, selected, user-applied, orcustom functions (e.g. send to one or more selected contacts/group(s) orpublish to one or more web sites and/or enter a video preview mode)1437.

If the threshold is not exceeded (1430—No), a frame of video is selected1445 and is stored as a photograph 1450. As indicated above, analternate approach is to capture a still frame from the camera videofeed as a photograph upon detection of orientation of device (e.g.vertical) in combination with proximity of device (e.g. some level farfrom eye or body) and/or stability level of device or display image(e.g. image unchanged for particular set period of time). The photographmay then passed to the photographic library controller 150 for storage.In 1455, visual media capture controller 138 may then execute one ormore default, auto-identified, selected, user-applied, and/or customfunctions (e.g. send to one or more selected contacts/group(s) orpublish to one or more web sites and/or enter a photo preview mode).

A single recording mode allows detection of device orientation,proximity of device to subject, and device/image stability to determinewhether a photograph or a video is captured and/or stored. Thus, asingle recording mode allows one to seamlessly transition betweenphotograph and video recording. For example, a photograph may be takenupon device orientation detection in combination with proximity ofdevice to subject eye or body and/or stability level of the device ordisplayed image, potentially over a period of time. Or, for example, ifdevice orientation is detected in combination with proximity of deviceand a stability level of the device or displayed image persists for athreshold period, then video is recorded. The device may record both aphotograph and video in the threshold is exceeded or conditionsotherwise transition from photograph to video, and the user may thenaccess both the photograph and the video.

Device orientation, such as vertical, horizontal, or some angle andstability of device/image may identified via sensors like a compass,gyroscope, accelerometer, and/or gesture sensors. Device proximity to acaptured subject may be detected via a proximity sensor that detects adistance from device to subject. A compass, gyroscope, accelerometer,and/or gesture sensor(s) can be used to detect orientation and directionof the device.

The user may also use voice commands to instruct the device to capturephoto, start video, audio, and/or voice, to stop or end recording ofmedia, preview media, save media, add to a story, photo, or video,enable or disable voice or audio with media, share with or send to oneor more contacts, group(s) of contacts, sources, or destinations, set anumber of seconds to auto-remove the media, etc.

By using or invoking visual media capture mode 1410, the user cancapture or record photo, video, audio, and/or voice completely handsfree or without touching a display of the device. This may allow theuser to fully concentrate on capturing the media. Frames captured by achange in orientation or other command intended to stop a video orphoto, such as a user turning the device 90-degrees or issuing a vocalstop command, may be removed from stored media 1435. The user may alsoenable or disable a photo and/or video preview mode.

Several options are also available to users. Based on settings providedby a sender to remove a shared photo or video from receiver's deviceafter set time (e.g. auto-remove photo after 3 seconds or video up-tolength of video), the media may be removed. The user may manually orautomatically select one or more functions for said auto captured orstored photo(s) and/or video(s) and/or voice. The user may further set adelay period of time after which photos or videos will be automaticallypublished or shared. The user may also set a delay period for automaticexecution or disabling of functions or select when one or morefunction(s) and associate parameters (e.g. change pre-selected contactsas recipients for sending captured photo or video) applies to capturedmedia. Users may pre-set one or more of these selected functions to beapplied upon auto-capturing or recording media. For example, a user mayselect a function “Auto Sent To” and select associated parametersincluding one or more contacts or group(s) of contacts (e.g. Friends &Family group(s) of contacts) and applied to auto-captured media. In suchan example, when a user captures media in auto mode, then the pre-setfunction(s) automatically execute upon media capture (e.g., sendauto-captured photo or video or voice to the pre-selected Friends &Family group).

Auto Visual Media Capture Mode 1410 can be enabled or disabled viashaking of the device, as sensed by one or more types of sensors such asa compass, gyroscope, accelerometer, and/or gesture sensors. A dedicateddevice can auto-open the display for the camera and invoke the visualmedia capture mode or auto visual media capture controller application1410. Or, for example, an electronic device including digital imagesensors to capture visual media, a display to present the visual mediafrom the digital image sensors, a sensor(s) including a gyroscope,accelerometer, proximity sensor, compass, and/or audio or gesturesensors to identify device/image orientation, proximity, and stabilityon the display, and an auto visual media capture controller to alternatebetween photograph or video based upon orientation, proximity,device/image stability and changes therein.

The visual media capture controller may identify, monitor, track,record, recognize, detect, determine, and/or sense device/imageorientation, stability, and/or proximity data from sensors including agyroscope, accelerometer, proximity sensor, compass, audio or gesturesensors. The visual media capture controller may selectively store thephotograph/video in storage and/or invoke a photograph/video previewmode. The auto visual media capture controller may select a frame orimage of the video to form or extract the photograph. The auto visualmedia capture controller may store the photograph upon change inorientation of device/image. The auto visual media capture controllermay be so configured via instructions executed by a processor, and mayadditionally be connected to a wireless signal processor, a powercontrol circuit, and/or a global positioning processor connected to theprocessor.

Some example methods being described here and in the incorporateddocuments, it is understood that one or more example methods may be usedin combination and/or repetitively to produce multiple options andfunctionalities for subscribers. Example methods may be performed byproperly programming or hardware configuring notification networks toreceive healthcare information and subscriber information and act inaccordance with example methods. Similarly, example methods may beembodied on non-transitory computer-readable media that directlyinstruct computer processors to execute example methods and/or, throughinstallation in persistent memory, configure general-purpose computersconnected to subscribers and healthcare information sources intospecific healthcare notification networks that execute example methods.

Example methods and embodiments thus being described, it will beappreciated by one skilled in the art that example embodiments may bevaried through routine experimentation and without further inventiveactivity. For example, although compared healthcare information used todetermine a readmission is shown as originating from two independenthealthcare providers having it is understood that a readmission may bedetermined and alert issued from healthcare information all receivedfrom a same, commonly-controlled provider. Variations are not to beregarded as departure from the spirit and scope of the exemplaryembodiments, and all such modifications as would be obvious to oneskilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer program product comprising anon-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions encodedthereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:receive only a single user action from the user of the client deviceselecting one of the plurality of displayed icons, wherein the singleuser action is touching and holding the selected icon on a touch screenfor a threshold period of time; and responsive to the single user actionand not based on any subsequent input from the user of the clientdevice, capture the visual data from the video recording device duringthe threshold period of time, wherein the captured visual data is avideo clip representing images taken over time, and wherein the videoclip is taken over a window of time corresponding to the touching andholding the selected icon, and send, to one or more types of one or morecontacts and destinations associated with the selected icon, thecaptured visual data.
 2. A system, comprising: a video recording device;and one or more processors communicatively coupled to a network, whereinthe one or more processors are configured to, receive only a single useraction from the user of the client device selecting one of the pluralityof displayed icons, wherein the single user action is touching andholding the selected icon on a touch screen for a threshold period oftime; and responsive to the single user action and not based on anysubsequent input from the user of the client device, capture the visualdata from the video recording device during the threshold period oftime, wherein the captured visual data is a video clip representingimages taken over time, and wherein the video clip is taken over awindow of time corresponding to the touching and holding the selectedicon, and send, to one or more types of one or more contacts anddestination associated with the selected icon, the captured visual data.